Port of Charleston Customs Attorney

Federal customs representation at the Port of Charleston — Section 232 autos, tire AD/CVD, tariff refunds, seizures, and classification.

International Trade & Customs Law Services

Comprehensive customs and tariff defense for California importers at the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, and all U.S. ports of entry. Services include CBP audit defense, tariff classification, customs valuation, Section 301/232/IEEPA tariff strategy, UFLPA forced labor compliance, duty drawback recovery, and Court of International Trade litigation.

Current Tariff Landscape

With effective tariff rates at historic highs, California businesses need experienced trade counsel. We handle Section 301 China tariffs, Section 232 steel/aluminum tariffs, IEEPA tariff refund claims, and reciprocal tariff compliance.

Free consultation for importers: (818) 514-7680.

Filed Court of International Trade Actions

Trembach Law Firm is not only admitted to the U.S. Court of International Trade — it has filed 3 complaints there. The actions are docketed at the Court of International Trade as 26-02506, 26-02846, 26-04095. Anatolii Trembach is admitted to practice before the Court of International Trade and is licensed in California, State Bar #349304, verifiable at apps.calbar.ca.gov.

This matters for IEEPA refunds specifically. The Court of International Trade has ordered CBP to reliquidate and refund on plaintiffs’ entries, and CBP’s CAPE Phase 3 for finally liquidated entries is likewise available only to importers who are plaintiffs at the Court. An importer who never filed has no confirmed, self-executing mechanism. Choosing counsel who has actually filed at that court, rather than counsel who only describes the process, is therefore a practical question and not a marketing one.

Jurisdiction over these actions rests on 28 U.S.C. § 1581, and the window to sue runs under 28 U.S.C. § 2636(i). No particular outcome is promised or guaranteed.

Fees, Costs and Case Results

Representation in these matters is offered on a contingency basis covering attorney fees only: there is no attorney fee unless we recover, and clients remain responsible for case costs, such as court filing and service fees. The specific terms that apply to a matter are set out in the written fee agreement for that matter.

Where this site refers to a verdict, settlement or court order, that result was dependent on the facts of that case, and results will differ if based on different facts. Past results do not predict or guarantee the outcome of any other matter, and no particular outcome is promised or guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which CBP port code covers the Port of Charleston?
Cargo through the Port of Charleston is processed under U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Port Code 1601 (Charleston). Operated by the South Carolina Ports Authority, Charleston is one of the deepest harbors on the U.S. East Coast and a leading gateway for automotive, tire, machinery, and retail trade across the Wando Welch and Hugh K. Leatherman container terminals.
Charleston is an automotive hub — how do auto tariffs affect importers and exporters there?
Charleston anchors the Southeast "auto corridor" (BMW in Spartanburg, Volvo near Charleston, and Mercedes-Benz Vans), making it a top U.S. port for vehicle and auto-parts trade. That brings Section 232 auto/parts tariff exposure, HTSUS classification of vehicles, parts, and accessories, valuation issues on related-party transfers, and origin questions. We help manufacturers and importers classify correctly, plan around Section 232, and contest improper rate advances.
I import tires through Charleston — what antidumping/countervailing (AD/CVD) risks apply?
Charleston is a major tire gateway (Michelin, Bridgestone, and Continental all have a strong Southeast presence). Passenger, truck, and off-road tires from several countries are subject to active antidumping and countervailing duty orders. Misjudging AD/CVD scope, country of origin, or cash-deposit rates can be extremely costly. We advise on scope rulings, AD/CVD applicability, and protests of improper assessments.
I move cargo by rail through Inland Port Greer or Dillon — any customs implications?
Yes. Charleston's inland ports at Greer (Upstate, BMW corridor) and Dillon (I-95) handle large in-bond and intermodal volumes. In-bond movements, bonded warehousing, and Foreign-Trade Zone use carry recordkeeping and liability requirements that CBP audits. We advise on in-bond entries, FTZ admissions, and the documentation CBP expects for cargo clearing inland.
Can you recover Section 301 or IEEPA tariffs paid on imports through Charleston?
Often, yes. Importers who overpaid Section 301 (China), Section 232, or IEEPA-based duties may recover them by filing a protest under 19 U.S.C. § 1514 (generally within 180 days of liquidation), through refund processes, or by litigation at the U.S. Court of International Trade. We review your CBP Form 7501 entry summaries and liquidation dates for Charleston entries to capture every deadline.
My container was detained or seized at Wando Welch or Leatherman Terminal — what should I do?
Act immediately. CBP issues a detention notice and, if goods are not released, a seizure notice with a strict deadline to respond. You can petition for relief under 19 U.S.C. § 1618, seek release under bond, or defend forfeiture. Common bases at Charleston include UFLPA forced-labor concerns, IP/counterfeit holds, and classification or valuation disputes, with penalties under 19 U.S.C. § 1592. Contact a customs attorney before responding to CBP.
Do I need a South Carolina-based lawyer for a customs matter at the Port of Charleston?
No. Customs and international trade law is federal and is handled before CBP and the U.S. Court of International Trade, not state courts. An attorney admitted to the Court of International Trade can represent importers and exporters at the Port of Charleston regardless of the firm's location. We represent Southeast manufacturers and importers moving cargo through Charleston nationwide.
How are customs legal fees structured — is it contingency like an injury case?
No. Customs and trade matters are generally handled on an hourly or flat-fee basis matched to the work — protest, ruling request, AD/CVD scope analysis, penalty defense, drawback filing, or CIT litigation — not on a personal-injury-style contingency. After a free initial consultation we provide a clear scope and fee estimate so you know the cost before proceeding.
What is an Importer Security Filing (ISF or '10+2') and what happens if it is wrong at the Port of Charleston?
For ocean cargo arriving at the Port of Charleston, the importer must transmit an Importer Security Filing (ISF, commonly called "10+2") to CBP at least 24 hours before the goods are laden aboard the vessel. Late, inaccurate, or missing ISF data can draw liquidated damages of up to $5,000 per violation, cargo holds, and higher examination rates. We help importers correct ISF problems, respond to ISF liquidated-damages claims, and put compliant filing procedures in place to avoid repeat penalties.
Do I need a customs bond to import through the Port of Charleston?
Yes. A commercial importer bringing goods through the Port of Charleston generally needs a CBP customs bond — either a single-entry bond for occasional shipments or a continuous bond for regular importers — to guarantee payment of duties, taxes, and potential penalties. If the bond amount is insufficient, CBP can reject your entries and demand a bond increase, and bond claims (liquidated damages) can follow violations. We advise on bond sufficiency and defend importers against CBP bond and liquidated-damages claims.
If my customs broker made the mistake, am I still liable for a the Port of Charleston entry?
Usually, yes. As the importer of record, you bear ultimate responsibility for the accuracy of every entry filed at the Port of Charleston, even when a licensed customs broker prepared it, under CBP's "reasonable care" standard. You may have a separate claim against a negligent broker, but CBP will look to you for unpaid duties and penalties. We defend importers in penalty actions, untangle broker-related errors, and help establish the reasonable-care procedures that protect you going forward.

Contact Trembach Law Firm

Trembach Law Firm, APC

27001 Agoura Road, Suite 350, Calabasas, CA 91301

Phone: (818) 514-7680

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